Pai Memorial Bridge

Pai Memorial Bridge or Saphan Prawatsart Pai in Thai language

pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridgePai Memorial Bridge is establish in World War II ( 1942 ) when Japan is powerful in Thailand. Japan solider use Pai for is transportation route from Chiang Mai to Burma. This bridge is the route for transport the forces and weapon to Burma like River Kwai in Kanchanaburi province. Then World War II Memorial Bridge become the building be left over after the war.

Pai Memorial Bridge history

In 1939 World War II : A huge conflict, opponents on every continent and almost everywhere in the world, caused the biggest loss in the entire world history.

In 1941 Japan went to war against the allied countries and created an army base in Thailand in order to achieve their strategic goals.
The plan was to attack Burma. At that time, Burma was a colony of the UK, but it was a difficult route for the army to travel, the way being blocked by the Pai River.

pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge
pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge

The Japaneses army forced villagers to work on the route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son.
Meanwhile, villagers from Mae Hong Son were forced to build the route from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai. The road met in the area of ” Tha – Pai ” river near Tha Pai village.

The bridge was built using elephants which dragged trees 30 inches wild from the jungle. Strong poles were set up and the bridge to connecting the road between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.

In 1946 World War II ended. Japanese soldiers left and burnt down the bridge. This caused the villagers major inconvenience in their own ways of transportation.

Because there was no bridge they had to make log boats th cross the river ( these were logs with holes dug inside ) .
Since the villagers were used to using the bridge for their transport and deliveries, they all came together and rebuilt the wooden bridge over the Pai River.

In 1973 Following the end of the War, locals re-erected the bridge naming it Tha Pai World War 2 Memorial Bridge; the bridge was strengthened and improved and lasted a few subsequent decades until it was destroyed by the severe flooding hitting the Pai district. It was after this that the Pai authorities asked the Chiang Mai local government permission to use the decommissioned Nawarat Bridge, which was transported Pai in 1975 and erected a year later.

In 1976 It took 1 year to complete the works. It then became known as the ” Ta – Pai Bridge ” and for the new generation it still stands as a reminder of our history.

pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge
pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge

There are many vignettes of Pai District that will interest you, including a hippie night Market, as well as numerous elephant camps, waterfalls and pure nature with not far from the town. One of its main attractions, and also one of the most enigmatic, however, is a quaint old metal bridge on the river Pai, which is supposed to have its origins in the World War II era.

On this time the Pai Memorial Bridge is indeed a compulsory stop for tourists for understand the historical and selfie. If you go to Pai, do make a point of walking down the Pai Memorial Bridge, and soaking in the history of the ancient structure.

There are local markets selling food and tacky tourist stuff, and a couple of coffee shops are available on both side of the river.

pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge
pai memorial bridge, tha pai world war 2 memorial bridge, tha pai memorial bridge
Pai Memorial bridge is located on the way from Chiang Mai to Pai and is on the kilometre marker 88 on highway 1095, Mae Malai-Pai Road.

Pai Memorial bridge is open to tourists all days and all times.

There is no entry fee for the Pai Memorial bridge.

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